"Conversion is essential to the gospel. The world needs to learn as we frequently need to be reminded that Christianity is not about refurbishing a few morals here, or helping you find your unique spiritual journey there, or simply trying to get you to agree to a few theological statements. We need to be converted."

"The Bible talks about conversion in many different ways. Conversion means turning from vain things to serve the living God (Acts 14:15). It means repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Conversion is described as being born again (John 3, 1 Peter 1), as being resurrected with Christ into a new life (Rom. 6:3-4), as being a new creation (James 1:18), as regeneration (Titus 3:5), and as putting off old clothes and putting on new clothes (Col. 3:9-10). Conversion means a change of ownership, from slaves of sin  to slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18) and a change of spiritual status from death to life (John 5:24), and a change from darkness to light (1 Peter 2:9)."

"The Heidelberg Catechism summarizes the change in conversion by pointing to two realities that happen in genuine repentance: the dying away of the old self (known as mortification) and the coming to life of the new (known as vivification)." - Kevin Deyoung. The Good News We Almost Forgot. 159.

Question 88: What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?

Answer: Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming-to-life of the new.

Question 89: What is the dying-away of the old self?

Answer: It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.

Question 90: What is the coming-to-life of the new self?

Answer: It is the wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.

Question 91: What do we do that is good?

Answer: Only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God's law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.